E2TG 4/21/2021 - Two Weeks Out and Mid-Week Blahs - Al Gore Rhythms Mix (Much to Do Remix)

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I am now two weeks out from my 2nd vaccine injection which means I am now considered immune.  I will still wear a mask when I am in public and still maintain social distancing as best I can - because it is what the scientist recommend and because I care about my fellow humans.

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 4 (songs 36-44):

36. "Number 4" by Nouhi's Nomad

We start off this segment of music with the single from the debut self-titled album by this Iranian-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC whose music incorporates rock, classical, and Persian influences.

37. "Fuel on the Fire" by Ali in the Jungle

Next up, we have the new single from this UK band who combine multiple influences and some bold and innovative instrumentation to create something truly unique and original.

38. "The Edge of the World" by Du Glas

We have another UK band - this one from West Cornwall with the title track from their forthcoming album (due May 1). The song is inspired by the breathtaking landscape around their hometown and the music is suitably majestic and the vocals are otherworldly. 

39. "Lock Down - Radio Edit" by Foxy Mammals

Next up, we have a track by this band that formed in 2018 and features members from the UK, France, and Spain. It is a powerhouse rock song about the lock down - elevated by the sonic energy of the music and vocals. 

40. "Chorus of Lists" by Jim McCulloch

Next, we have the second single from the forthcoming solo debut from Scottish singer-songwriter Jim McCulloch (BMX Bandits, Soup Dragons). I like this song quite a bit. Check it out.

41. "My Whiskey Life" by West of Texas

California's West of Texas (led by Jerry Zinn) brings some real deal honky tonk country music with his new album Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks. The album is a decade in the making - beginning as a three song EP in 2010 before health issues sidelined Zinn for some time. The quarantine provided the time for Zinn to complete the album which was co-produced and engineered by Rich McCulley and features a great line-up of California country musicians. 

42. "Hot Diggity" by Kirk Nelson & Jambalaya West

Some New Orleans-inspired sounds from California - the new album is called Lagniappe. Kirk Nelson and the band brings some impressive credentials to the table to create music that makes me want to drink Hurricanes and stroll through the Quarter.

43. "Better Off" by Post Profit

Next up, we have the second single from this alternative rock band from Longview, Texas. The band is readying their debut album When You Think It's Right, It's Always Wrong. A great modern rock song. 

44. "Headlock" by Troy Bentley

And we close this segment of music with the title track from the new album from UK artist Pete Bentley who records as Troy Bentley (Troy being his mother's maiden name). The album features contributions from Bentley's siblings Tony and Kathy. Multi-layered music that sounds fantastic. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/13/2020 - Setting Sights - First Schism Mix (Rollin' Remix)

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Well, I wrote an extended bit below the Featured Friday Playlist - so I will just say... tune in tomorrow for a new Featured Friday and find your joy where you can!

And today, we wrap up our recap of the week's Featured Friday Playlist - just in time for tomorrow's unveiling of a whole new playlist. Songs 24-28

24. "Dyfodol" by Ci Gofod; Lloyd Bastian

As always, we like to  end the weekly playlist on a high and interesting note, and this last segment sure starts us off in the right direction. Ci Gofod is a bedroom recording project based in Wales. Although he grew up in Wales, Ci Gofod (real name Jack) had never learned the Welsh language. He decided to learn using songwriting as a tool to learn the language. Dyfodol is his first Welsh language release - with more to come. Dyfodol means "future" and the song reflects the anxiety most of us feel about it.   

25. "In the Unknown" by Nelss

Nelss was born in Portugal and now lives in Paris, France. He recorded this single - ahead of an EP called Moonlight in his home-studio in the City of Lights. The music falls into the synth-pop/disco area successfully blending genres to create a unique sound. 

26. "A Feel" by Drumagick

Drumagick is considered Brazil's kings of drum 'n' bossa. This tragic brings some intergalactic vibes, and it is a great addition to our playlist.  

27. "Coup de grace" by PXPRS

Next up, we have the debut single by this Bristol-London based trio. This is the rocking side of electronic music. It is jammed packed with noise and sounds that captured by attention.  Look for a full album later this year.  

28. "Baggage" by Phillip La Rosa

We close out this segment of music and this week's playlist with a song that packs a powerful emotional punch. Phillip La Rosa is a singer-songwriter based in Perth, Australia. The song is about broken people connecting by unpacking their baggage. A great ending to the playlist. 

A final word.  I hope everyone is enjoying our Featured Friday Playlist. I put a lot of thought and energy into putting the list together and then sharing a little bit about each song. First and foremost, if any of the music piques your curiosity, follow the artists on social media, share about the songs you like, if you are able buy some merch and/or physical copies of the music. 

As I have shared before, the list in ordered in a way that is a little bit intentional (that word again) and a little bit arbitrary. Personally, I recommend you listen to the playlist on shuffle. The list is diverse enough that although not many people will dig everything on the list, there should be something there that anyone will like. 

I don't know how to impart this, but my wish is that everyone will develop open minds and open hearts toward music. There is so much wonderful new music being made, and of course, we all have our all-time favorites that we go back to. I have always envisioned E2TG as a place for anyone interested to discover new music that is not driven by algorithms telling you what you might like. I enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone each week. Okay, after over nine years at this, my comfort zone when it comes to music is pretty darn big, but I am always looking to be challenged and to find something new. 

Something I have said before, I cannot say that I like every artist or style of music that I feature equally, but I do believe it all has merit and deserves a chance to be heard.  Along the way, I feature music that may already have a sizable following, but if you haven't heard it - then it is new and unknown to you (and me). 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/4/2020 - Keep on Keeping On - Transparent Girls Mix (Close to Nature Remix)

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Right now, today, this week, I am just pushing forward... that is it.  It is taking all my energy not to loe hope, but I can't afford to lose hope.  So, I push forward and try to find joy when I can. 

I have no idea how any of this will end - so I stay in most of the time, wear a mask - to protect others - when I go out, I watch as many, many people attend large gatherings without masks - and travel and visit without limitations...

I see a President who can barely put together a coherent sentence and who lies almost as often has he speaks, and I see a large number of people who praise him and believe every word he says - even if what he says changes from moment to moment. 

I am not someone who is a political junkie.  I try to be as knowledgeable as I can about what is going on, but I don't live and breathe by the back and forth of Washington or even State Capitol goings on. I long for the time when weeks could go by without the latest "breaking news" dominating everything. 

I am staying busy with music - as much as I can.  So, let me tell you what is on my mind today when it comes to that. 

Today, we have five more songs to feature from this week's playlist:

13. "Ugly Freedom - Toka Remix" by Vee VV

Vee VV formed in 1981 in Blackpool from the ashes of Factory Records band Tunnelvision.  Toka formed Bosh Records in 1998. Vee VV specialize in infectious post-punk, Toka is an esteemed DJ and producer.  This is a powerhouse track, and a great addition to the playlist.

14."Hunger" by Inhaler Collective

Inhaler Collective is a soul/jazz/pop outfit from Liverpool and London who have some great sounds. This is the title track from their new release.

15. "Gusta" by Herb Barclay Project

Herb Barclay is a DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who blurs genre lines. This track as some great Latin/op sounds. 

16. "Breaking Free" by Leon Gill

Next up, we have a track from Master of None - a solo album from UK musician and songwriter - Leon Gill. 

17. "Live Your Dreams" by Painkillers

We close this segment of the playlist with a track from Italian punk band Painkillers. A great way to close out  this segment of music. 

Tomorrow, we will be back with the next 5 songs. Below the jump, we have today''s morning shuffle.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/15/2020 - Mid-Week Musings - Hold On Mix (Mean Old World Remix)

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Just as a follow-up to yesterday's post, I do need to give a shout out too, to Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge, The Basement, The Basement East, Bowery Vault, 3rd & Lindsay, and several other local venues which have provided many memories over the years and hopefully for years to come. The Basement East, as many of you know, was decimated by the March 3 tornado.

Dee's has been running live streams since near the beginning of the quarantine. When Nashville entered Phase 3 of their reopening, Dee's started some live shows with a limited, socially distant audience, table service, and a mask mandate. Unfortunately, due not in a small part, the irresponsible Broadway venues, Nashville's case count has skyrocketed and Nashville moved back to Phase 3, and now it appears that bars will be closed until at least the end of July.

There are a variety of ways to support your favorite venues who are struggling.  I want all my favorite venues to be there when it is safe to attend live music again.



And now, songs 16-20 of this week's Featured Friday Place - a real international segment of music.

16. "Sacred Core" by Mayflower Madame

Our world tour starts in Norway, with the heavy psychedelic/post punk band Mayflower Madame. We have featured them a few times before. This is the latest single from their album Prepared for a Nightmare which was released in March. Cool stuff.

17. "Need Some Soul" by Black Paisley

Next, we head  to Stockholm, Sweden with some more straight ahead rock music from Black Paisley. This is a real catchy song. I dig it. 

18. "Hollow (Project Regeneration)" by Static X

Our only U.S. stop on this whirlwind world tour, and it is a doozy. Long-running and platinum selling industrial metal band Static X are back with a brand new album which features the Wisconsin Death Trip line-up. The album features some of the last known recordings of the late Wayne Static. Happy to be on the promo list for this one. 

19. "Easteria" by Monsieur Minimal

Off to Athens - Greece that is with another track from composer and artist Monsieur Minimal. The song has an Eastern Mediterranean influence with some 70s psychedelic fusion. Great sound.

20. "Waves" by Dust

We close out this segment of music with a comprehensive summer song from Italy. The song manages to encapsulate an entire summer of emotions from boundless fun and abandon to the melancholy that comes with the final days of the season.  A great ending to this segment of music. 

Tomorrow - we wrap up our review of the Playlist with the final four songs...

    Featured Friday Playlist